Rasmussen's Favorite Things 2007

I was too busy to catch Oprah's Favorite Things episode this year because I was thinking of our family favorite things in the last 12 months. Its been a great year, filled with many ups and downs, but the ups sure outshine the downs. We are pretty blessed. We love our family and friends. We love where we live. In no particular order, here are some of our favorite things of this past year. Love to you all!

1. Moose Tracks Ice Cream. Matt is more of an ice cream fan than I am, but if I have this one in front of me, there is no doubt I will partake. Safeway makes an incredibly delish kind which is also easy on the wallet.

2. Angels and Airwaves. We are music junkies and especially hold a dear place in our hearts for all that is alternative. We love this band. We just bought their latest cd and Matt hasn't stopped listening to it since. It was actually going to be in his stocking this year, but he wanted it early.

3. Asics and Saucony running shoes. Mom Ras got me some Asics running shoes last year and I have loved every step that I have taken in them. They are the best running shoes I have ever owned. I have put some miles on them this year...maybe not as many as I would have liked, but they still got good use. For Fathers Day I bought Matt some Saucony shoes, mostly cause they were on sale, but he has loved them as well. Those of you who know Matt know that he isn't a big runner, but he has definitely put some time on the treadmill this past year.

4. Arrested Development. You guys know our hearts are with The Office, but while I was in New Mexico with Lori and Nick, we watched a marathon of this show on tv and I laughed so hard. It is incredibly funny and SMART comedy. Truly original. I wish it was still on air. Its not, so for some laughs rent the 3 seasons.

5. Johnsons Shea Butter Baby Wash. Love this stuff. Smells yummy and makes me sniff Reagan over and over after her bath.

6. Allegra-D. Matt has allergies and this is the ONLY stuff that works for him.

7. Britax Marathon car seat. We hummed and hawed over this one. It was an expensive car seat and there are plenty of decent car seats out there that are half the price. But in the end, we fell in love with this one and bought it before a road trip last month. It has been worth it. Reagan is much nicer in the car and falls asleep often because of its comfort factor.

8. Steak Burrito Ultimo from Baja Fresh. Matt treats himself to this one since there is a Baja Fresh close to work.

9. Claim Jumpers Glazed Walnut and Asian Pear salad. This is my favorite. Chili's has slid down on my favorite restaurants list and been replaced by Claim Jumper, mostly due to this dish. The funny thing is none of these items in the salad are things I particularly like, but thrown together, with the dressing they have, its mouthwatering. Matt digs the Bleu Cheese Wedge salad from there.

10. American Crew hair gel. This stuff works, let me tell you. Matt loves it and once I had to use some because I was scrunching my hair and out of any hair product for me. My hair didn't move an inch all day. It was completely stuck where I had styled it.

11. Daisy by Marc Jacobs. This perfume smells really good.

12. TJ Maxx. I bought lots of stuff here over the last year. In fact, I can pretty much find almost anything here, if at the right time. I love their clothes and toys for Reagan. I bought some shirts there. They even have nice houseware stuff. Plus, it is right down the street from our place.

Corporate Booty

Nondenominational Winter Holiday Party 07

Highlights -

• Having a date this year (a hot one at that)
• Continuing my raffle winning streak
• The amazing view from the 52nd floor of the Bank of America building
• 1.5 great steaks
• Chocolate shakes at Union Square with the Sebras
• The shooting at Union Square

Chillin with the accountants

The photographer

On top of the city

Union Square

The shooting

Such a good mommy...

Reagan is learning all the skills she needs to be a good mommy. She received a dolly and stroller from Grandma Rasmussen for Christmas (early) and has been cuddling and caring for the little babe since day 1. Everything else takes a backseat to her 'baby.'

She knows that baby needs her binky. Oh yes, Reagan knows ALL about that.
Each night, I read Reagan and book and sit in the chair with her. Matt and I were so TICKLED when one night Reagan did it with her baby. It was the cutest thing. She grabbed a book, her baby, and was asking for 'up' in the chair.

By the way, Reagan loves the book in the picture. The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle. I highly recommend it.
Of course, baby needs her fresh air, despite dipping down into freezing California temperatures...like low 60's and stuff. So we bundle up and head outdoors where Reagan makes sure that baby is sitting properly in her seat (LOL) and that she gets plenty of sips of water.
Honestly, I have seen a cuddly, motherly side come out of Reagan since the birth of her baby. It is really exciting to watch her. She gives the baby kisses and gives Matt and I kisses now.

So now I ask the question: does Reagan resemble me (LACY) at all in these photos? To anyone who may be reading our blog, I want your opinion. Be honest!

Household Record

Reagan slept in until almost 8am this morning!! HOLY COW!! That has never happened in the history of the last eighteen months. At her toddler class this morning, I was ecstatic and everyone told me it was probably a growth spurt, especially if she was eating more than normal. The eating thing will never be a clue, since she eats almost as much as Matt and I combined, but she has been growing a ton, so I guess it fits.

Thanksgiving in Utah

We celebrated Thanskgiving in Utah this year. While in San Diego, Matt's grandfather passed away, so instead of driving home to NorCal, we instead took a detour to Utah and spent the rest of the holiday weekend there. In spite of the circumstances, it was great to see our families. We haven't spent a Thanksgiving with family in four years, so this was fun. Reagan was a delight on the 11 hour trip straight through to Utah and I drove with a lead foot, which truly is unusual for me, so we made it unscathed. The temperatures were COLD...not what I am used to anymore I guess. We were a little unprepared, with 4 days worth of clothing that consisted of jeans, shirts, and maybe a light jacket here or there.

Highlights of our feast include some delicious sweet potatoes that Lori made. And of course, the traditional spinach salad. The turkey was awesome, too and for the first time ever, I had cranberry sauce with it and it was really good!
The next day we had another feast at the Roundy household and the highlight of that was my dad's deep fried turkey. If you have never tried deep fried turkey, you are missing out.
Reagan's new dress. 9 bucks at Jc Penney, I am not kidding. I love this dress. I love her smile even more. Matt and Jeff's 'prom picture.' I don't know why they look pale in this photo.
I have been to Utah three times in the last three months and in three weeks, it will be my fourth time. In September, it was a huge reunion, October was like, "cool, your here again," and this time it was like, "oh...hey guys." I am sure for Christmas it will be like, "did you guys move back or something?" Too funny!

Photo shoot at La Jolla Cove

What better place to have your picture taken than the beach? Heck yeah, baby. Many other people had the same idea. Jenn was wonderful and took some photos of our family. There are these tiny tidepools with these scary white fish that are about the size of my fingernail. I HATE fish! Jenn was laughing because I would not step in the tidepools to enter further into the cove. Heck no, man.

Oh how Reagan loves to water. In a couple of years, she will be laughing right along with her dad at how I hate fish and other sea creatures. We could not keep her out of the freezing water and we ended up pulling her wet clothing off her and draping a blanket over on the way home.
I just want to add that my fear of fish is mostly limited to ugly fish. When Matt and I snorkeled in Hawaii, after about an hour of coaxing me into the water, I realized it wasn't TOO bad because these were pretty tropical fish. They look nice. The ugly fish, like the ones that my dad fishes out of the Weber River, are so dang ugly and scary looking. They just have this EVIL look in their eyes like they want to nibble your toes right off.

Birch Aquarium

While in San Diego we visited the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. Last time I was here, I was a junior in high school oceanography class thrilled for a reason to be out of school. This time, I was with my friends and together, we faced mine and Lori's arch nemesis: fish. To me, fish are like a scary movie that you watch with your hands held over your eyes. You can't leave the room, you have to be there to watch it, but you need to watch by peeking through your hands. This aquarium felt much the same way. I got the chills looking at these freaky creatures, but I just could not look away! I also feel the same way about snakes.Okay, so we did get somewhat close to a fish. We posed inside this shark mouth. Here, Nick rescues Matt from being eaten by the shark. Thanks to Nick, I still have a husband today.
Lori, Jenn and I. Jenn is the polar opposite when it comes to fish. She loves them. A view of the coastline from the aquarium. It was a pretty sunset.
Eating our hearts out at California Pizza Kitchen. We were impressed that Jenn used chopsticks throughout her meal, so Lori gave it a whirl.

Ohhhh, I love BBQ chicken pizza!!

SOOO GOOD!

Reagan and I were out and about yesterday and we stopped into Panera Bread and shared one of their seasonal bagels...Gingerbread. It was really good! The perfect flavor of Gingerbread but also a little bit sweeter than just your average bagel. There was something really sweet melted in bits throughout and I couldn't quite place what it was, so I looked online and here is the website description:

Flavored with ginger bits, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses & filled with vanilla & cinnamon chips.

WOOT! Doesn't that sound good? We will be making many more trips there, I predict. Panera Bread Gingerbread bagels + Stephens hot cocoa = holiday heaven!

Pipes and the Beach

On Saturday morning we ate the best french toast ever at a breakfast place called Pipes near Del Mar and right next to the beach. It was a really cool setting. So good that we ended up going back the next morning for a second helping of that french toast.
Bro, check out Matt with this sign. Whattup with that?

After Pipes, we headed down to the beach, where the water was way too cold for all of us, except Reagan. She beelined for the waves, but we decided we knew what was best more than she did and kept her out of the water.

Weekend in San Diego

We took a quick trip to San Diego the weekend before Thanksgiving, to surprise Jenn and meet her 2 month old baby, Layla. Nick and Lori were also there that weekend, so they were in on it and helped execute the "Surprise Jenn" plan. Although Jenn seemed more confused than surprised (she thought we would be coming the following week), it was fun to ambush her in Nordstrom's Rack. We had a great time with our friends and have some killer photos to share.

Matt and I (well, mostly me) had a moment of silence as we passed this California landmark. We even stopped for gas at the Magic Mountain Parkway exit just so that I could smell the amusement park air. I think that is the closest I will get to this place in a VERY long time. When Matt and I are retired and 80 years old, we will be all over Xtreme and Goliath.
Not long after we met up with everyone in Mission Valley, we went to get some grub. Reagan almost walked into the mens bathroom.
We have done tons of driving for the last week and a half and Reagan has been an angel 90% of the time. We owe much of it to her new carseat. It cost us an arm and a leg, but has been worth every penny.
The cell phone obsession continues. Nick was really cute with Reagan and she set aside her newfound shy streak for the time being and played happily with our friends.
Our first night there, we ate at Islands Restaurant. It boasts this cool view of the San Diego temple (taken from the parking lot), but boasts even greater hamburgers and cheese fries. I have been hooked on Islands hawaiian burger forever, but I made some new discoveries this time: cheese fries are sensational when dipped in ranch dressing (thanks, Lori) and the yaki tacos are excellent.

Funny Moment

We just got back from an extended stay in San Diego, then Utah. I cannot stop laughing at something my 6 year old niece, Ashlee, said. She asked me what a 'soul' was. I responded that it was like a spirit or ghost, and it was something that no one could touch. She then asked, "like your privates?"

Hee, hee.

Politics

On my way out of the train station a card was shoved into my hand announcing that Barack Obama would be in San Francisco. As I drove away from the station I decided that I would leave it in Miriam Pinoli's door (my boss's wife) who is a die hard republican just like my sister Amy. I don't get into politics since voting in California or Utah is pointless, but I do enjoy getting people riled up about politics. On the way home I got stuck at a red light for a while and decided that I would personally sign the invitation for Miriam. So I wrote something like "For Miriam, thanks for being my greatest advocate. I appreciate your support and hope to see you there tomorrow night" and then I signed it "Obama". Below was her response.

Indoor Fun & Gratitude

I remember this time last year so clearly. The weather has started to cool down a bit and although I really can't complain about California temperatures, we have spent a little more time indoors. It rained some over the weekend and Reagan was getting over a cough and cold last week, so I was straining my brain trying to find ways to entertain her. Last week, I was in another room when I her grunting and complaining from the front room. I went and checked on her playing and found that she had climbed into the blanket basket and couldn't get out. This wasn't very nice of me, but I slyly watched for a few minutes from around the corner where she couldn't see me. It was kind of cute to see her trying to get out and I could almost see the wheels in her head turning while she figured out a way to do so.
Bathtime is still fun time for her. Now, when I say "cheese" or "smile" she does it! I love her big cheesy grin. She has this bath book that she likes to read. When she wants me to read it to her, she lets me know by throwing it to me, getting water everywhere.


I am very grateful for my little Reg's. It is fun for me to look back in time and see where I was a year ago, two years ago, etc. Almost exactly three years ago, Matt and I were settling into the Bay area and our new apartment, Matt was a week into his first job out of college and we were enjoying our surroundings. Almost two years ago, while I was nauseated 24 hours a day, we were finding out that our little person was going to be a girl. We had an interesting Thankgiving that year. I couldn't be around food cooking, so Matt settled for a dinner of rolls and green beans. Exactly a year ago, I was watching little Reagan grow up too fast before my eyes. So much can happen in a year and I wonder today...what will be going on in my life a year from now??? Hmmm...

I finally watched it!

I have always been a huge Dancing with the Stars fan until this season. I think I just got sick of it. That usually happens with reality shows and me. I enjoy the first couple of seasons (i.e. The Apprentice and Survivor) then I just get bored and realize that the producers of the show only pick hot people to be contestants. But now that the so-so's have been weeded out, Matt and I actually tuned into the show last night. Now I can chat with Mom Roundy about it! Here's what I think: I feel like I really SHOULD like Marie Osmond...after all she is from Utah and is Mormon, right? And the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is allright, she really tries. But Matt and I both agree there is something about older women who try to be 20 and sexy. Its just gross. We flinched every time Marie shimmied last night and when Jane (aka Dr. Quinn) walked out in that bathing suit...er, I mean, dress...I about died. I wear more to the beach than she did and I am in my 20's. All that aside, those two are mighty good dancers. Jennie Garth was a much better actress on 90210. I just don't like her facial expressions. Those expressions that people do in ballroom dancing (you know the ones I am talking about) can come natural to some and look good, but just not on her. But again, I have to hand it to her...the dancing is good. The soap star Cameron is good too, but I think he may be going home. Matt says he has guns and I say he has crazy eyes. Why does his partner always wear leg warmers during practice?? Let's see...who else? Mel B is good. I think she will win it. She was definitely 'spicy' last night. I actually really like her accent, too. I normally am not fond of the English accent--sorry--but it suits her. I actually enjoyed listening to her speak.

In other tv news...The Office!! Jim in a mustache and Karen...clearly still not over him. I have a strong feeling that we haven't seen the last of Karen. I had a hard time picking a quote from the episode. I enjoyed Michael asking Jim to host the dundies if he doesn't survive and also Phyllis' microwave popcorn quote. Plus Dwight had some pretty good quotes, but they contained bad words, so I guess I shouldn't post them, even though I was ROFL. Rolling on the floor laughing...I got some text message lingo from my sister Loni. Sometimes I steal her phone when she isn't looking and I read all the text messages she has received and sent. I do not understand what the big deal is over texting. Why does Loni's friend, who she just saw 10 minutes ago, text her 'Hey' and that is it? Then Loni texts back, 'Hey' and her friends writes 'What are you doing?' and yada-yada. Seriously, she could easily call her up if she had something important to say, right? I have, however, finally learned finally what LOL and ROFL means. I will throw a few more out there as I read Loni's messages and learn them.

Candy is Love

How do I love Halloween? Let me count the ways...

1. Carving pumpkins. Matt chooses the most difficult template and I choose the easiest. He spends an hour carving his, I spend 3 minutes carving mine, which is actually Reagan's.

The end result is that Matt's looks a hundred times better than mine!!!2. Playing in the cool fall weather. And enjoying sugar cookies from the neighbor, Miss Betty.

3. Attending the ward trunk-or-treat party. Last year Reagan lasted about 15 minutes before we had to take her home. This year, she ate it all up, including another sugar cookie.
4. Reagan begging for more chocolate.

5. Burning the soup that I made for dinner. This is the second pot that I have charred in the last week. Matt claims that if I really want a new set of cookware for Christmas, there are easier, less smelly ways of getting it.
6. Going trick-or-treating with friends. Reagan didn't really get the concept this year. She just enjoys being around other children. But once she realized that candy was involved, boy, she got it real fast! Candy is love...
7. All smiles in anticipation. I have noticed a trend in the photos of Reagan grinning. There is always food nearby. Can you spot the Cheerios in the first photo?

Happy Halloween!